GJ 682 b (also known as Gliese 682 b) is a “Super-Earth” located approximately 16.3 light-years away in the constellation Scorpius. It is part of a multi-planet system orbiting a red dwarf star.

Key Physical Characteristics

• Planet Type: Terrestrial (rocky) Super-Earth.
• Mass: It is significantly larger than Earth, with a minimum mass of about 4.4 times that of our planet.
• Orbit: It completes one full orbit (a “year”) in roughly 17.5 Earth days.
• The Star: Gliese 682 is a small, relatively cool Red Dwarf. Because the star is faint, the habitable zone is located much closer to it than in our solar system.

Habitability & Environment

In Lisa Kaltenegger’s research, GJ 682 b is categorized based on its potential to support an atmosphere:

• Location: It sits on the inner edge of the habitable zone.
• Temperature: Without an atmosphere, its equilibrium temperature is estimated at around -21 °C. However, with a greenhouse effect similar to Earth’s, it could easily maintain liquid water on its surface.
• High Gravity: Due to its mass, you would feel much heavier on GJ 682 b—roughly 1.5 to 1.8 times your weight on Earth. This high gravity helps the planet hold onto a thick atmosphere, which is essential for protecting any potential life from stellar radiation.

Scientific Significance

• Atmospheric Testing: GJ 682 b is a prime target for studying atmospheric retention. Scientists want to see if such a massive rocky planet keeps a thin Earth-like atmosphere or develops a crushing, thick one like Venus.
• Red Dwarf Stability: The star GJ 682 is older and generally quieter than younger red dwarfs, making it a more stable environment for life to have developed over billions of years.
• Next-Gen Targets: Because of its proximity (16.3 ly), it is one of the few planets that could be characterized by the upcoming Extremely Large Telescopes (ELTs) to look for oxygen and water vapor.

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Published @ March 24, 2026 9:14 am